From Romania With Love
Limited Edition Sculptural Furniture Fueled by Twin Passions for Art and Science
Eduard Locota surrounded by works from his limited edition sculptural furniture collection. |
Limited Edition Sculptural Furniture Fueled by Twin Passions for Art and Science
Romanian sculptor and designer Eduard Locota is a paradox. He is a staunchly uncommercial creator with a commercial market, a maker of beautiful objects which, he says, are conceptual. He considers his purpose as an artist and designer not to provide answers but rather to help the client pose questions and reflect on pertinent social and cultural issues of the day. Making great design and art is his passion. Incollect interviewed the artist, asking him to delve into his inspiration, materials, and processes.
Your biography lists you as a sculptor and designer. Yet, everything you make is sculpture or sculptural — do you see a difference between these two practices?
I have an MFA in sculpture, and I approach the creative process for my objects from the perspective of a sculptor, not a designer. I consider my works to be 95% sculpture and 5% "design" since I only add a small utilitarian function to each of my artworks.
I try to look beyond the ephemeral and the futility of consumer goods and focus on a conceptual approach toward the objects I create. I can also be considered a designer since I focus sometimes on consumerism, but only from a conceptual perspective.
Each object is entirely made by you, and not by other artisans or craftsmen. Tell me why you believe that is important.
For my current works, I don't like to put my signature on pieces that are not made directly by my hands. Obviously, I am not alone in this endeavor, but there is not a single piece where my hands do not intervene in the build process since I consider my work as being art and less design. Would you consider buying a painting that is made by another artist? Better to buy a photo or a print. Plus, as an artist, I deeply enjoy the build process for each of my works. It gives me time to think, time to meditate.
Above: Inspired by the wild beauty of the seaside cliffs of Les Falaises d’Etretat on France’s northern coast, the limited edition Etretat Bench/Console and Cliff Side Table mirror the columnar forms of the white chalk cliffs and arches topped with thick blankets of verdant growth. Created in Jesmonite and acrylic glass, the two pieces have an interesting feature — the Side Table fuses as a puzzle joint with the Etretat Bench. Below left: Detail of the Etretat Bench/Console showing the fern-like pattern in the acrylic glass top surface. Below right: The Cliff Side Table can be made in three sizes: Thin, standard and large; shown here is standard size. |
Everything you make is customizable as well. What was your thinking behind this approach to design and sculpture?
Almost all of my pieces are customizable. That's because I don't want to produce pieces in a factory-like process. In fact, the works that I showcase are usually seen as prototypes from which my customers can purchase a similar yet unique work, made only for them.
The Wave Lounge. The twist of a wave near the breaking point, encapsulated in time, will completely charm the viewer’s eyes. Built entirely by hand with over 200 Kg of acrylic glass poured in over 60 layers for a period of over 20 days. Hand sculpted, painstakingly sanded and polished to perfection in the completion of a 2-month build process. Limited edition of 5 +2AP. |
The Materiality Series is made from acrylic glass and cold-cast bronze, entirely by hand by Eduard Locota. Shown left to right: Materiality Vol. 2 Side Table/Stool, Materiality Vol. 1 Side Table/Stool, and Materiality Vol. 3 Bench. |
The variety of processes and techniques you employ from clay modeling, mold making, and carving to various forms of sculpting is impressive. Can you tell us a little bit about your background and training?
I represent the second generation of artists in my family. I have connected with “les beaux arts” from an early age, mainly inspired by the artistic practices of my father, who was a painter. My formal training began at Timisoara School of Arts in the sculpture department, continuing at the University of Arts and Design in Timisoara, with an MFA in sculpture.
Universities educate but don't teach you how to become an artist or designer. Studies have shown that artists start being artists when their formal training stops (university). Great art is definitely not made at the university, but rather in a garage or in a weird attic, where the artist can be alone to confront his thoughts.
Do you have a special island that always makes you smile when remembering it? Freedom of choice for your own island design, shape, dimension, and even colors. The Azzurro Coffee Table is fully customizable. Also available as a dining table in sizes to seat 4, 6 or 8 people, with 3 column feet for stability. |
You have been working with digital 3D modeling software for over 20 years now — an early adopter. How did you get involved in that?
The funny thing is that I have a bachelor’s degree in cybernetics. Way before fully committing to being an artist, I was deeply submerged in the virtual space. I have been creating 3D models, animations, and virtual objects since I was a kid in high school.
The Frieze Side Table is part of the innovative I Classici collection in which classical sculpture, contemporary design elements, and augmented reality coexist. From extremely detailed 3D scans of the most important classical sculptures of all times, Eduard Locota has digitally sliced and extracted the essential portion of the artwork, then physically 3D-printed it into a new representation fit for the 21st century. |
You combine digital 3D skills with physical sculpting skills to create works that are kind of augmented reality artworks. Can you tell us about this process?
Using highly detailed 3d scans of the world's most important sculptures, I have digitally edited and modified the sculptures to fit my concept. After the prototype is ready in the software, I bring the artwork back to the physical realm with the aid of 3D printing.
Since 3D printing technology is not yet perfect, we still have to refine the printed model, sand it, polish it, and prepare it for mold making. We take silicone molds of the plastic print and remake the artwork with stronger and more durable materials like Jesmonite or resin.
The Forest Mirror/Wall Sculpture is created with coal, resin, hand-polished brass and brass wire. Tracing the evolution of coal, in its transformation from a plant into a rock, and then into fuel; the artist reinterprets the purpose of fossil fuel. He actually goes beyond recycling, towards an active transformation of the material. |
Regeneration and sustainability are of great interest to you — how are they manifested in your work?
My focus is channeled on the once-abundant natural resources such as fossil fuel, water, and even clean oxygen. The excessive and unsustainable consumerism of the 21st century promises a Darwinian transformation for both humans and nature, an evolution that leads to the development of synthetic beings living in a synthetic nature. At the same time, dealing with these heavy topics, such as regeneration and building a sustainable environment, are being thrown into the arms of future generations that have not been born yet.
Every angle of the Crete Table is truly incomparable and uncommon. Interest points come from all viewpoints, every single side is completely different from the other. You may choose which island or part of an island you wish incorporated into your table. |
You work with many different materials. What is your preferred material and why?
I love Jesmonite, my favorite material. It’s a synthetic material, made by man, eco-friendly, extremely versatile, lighter, and more durable than concrete.
Is there a material you haven't worked with yet but would like to?
I would love to incorporate liquid in some of my future works. I have some very interesting concepts and can’t wait to share them with you!
Many of your designs employ a synthesis of materials. Why do you like to mix and match different materials?
Simply because it’s part of my basic concept of synthesis. My creations highlight the synthesis through alternative materials used, such as synthetic marble (resin and marble dust), synthetic resin (Plexiglass), synthetic cement (Jesmonite), charcoal, burned wood, and so on. My works have a powerful conceptual plasticity but also physical plasticity.
Limited edition Mirror Mountains contemporary sculpture is one design in the sculptural group “Abstract Isometry.” The concept gravitates around the theme of fragmentation, slicing of the Earth and plasticity. In the contemporary context, channeled almost exclusively on our natural resources, once abundant natural resources such as fossil fuel, water and even clean oxygen, become rare commodities. |
How do you begin creating? Do you make conceptual sketches?
My art begins with reality and expands on my experiences of that reality. I try to enhance a memory or an image beyond normal expression. I have a concept that I use WWP: Work, work, and be playful. Playfulness is vital for creativity and represents the lack of concern for what others will think, like raw creativity.
I believe that artists can cultivate three essential natural traits: persistence, determination, and curiosity. Experimentation is very important for my creative process, so I push myself and alternate a lot between techniques. There are times that I start with a paper sketch, other times I freeform with clay or use 3D modeling software; there are times that I do digital drawings and 3D printing for my prototypes. My creative process is very fluid.
Everything is precisely planned in my works, from inception to deadlines. I am of German heritage, maybe this is why I am precise and leave little to chance. I carefully execute my works to resemble my sketches as closely as possible.
The DelMare Coffee Table is one of those pieces that mesmerizes people. You won’t easily understand its shape and form, but you will be drawn to look at it for hours, as you would gaze into the depths of the ocean floor. Every good artist should be able to draw inspiration from nature. For the DelMare Collection, Eduard Locota creates various representations of land and sea through his unique perspective. |
Your pieces are sold around the world, belonging to private collectors and royal families. Which work or works are you most proud of?
My works are collected by many interesting individuals, from extremely knowledgeable art enthusiasts to professionals and also royal families, which obviously makes me extremely appreciative and motivates me to create more outstanding works. I am very proud of my last collection “I Classici”, since it encompasses many techniques, from 3D scanning and 3D modeling to 3D printing, CNC and traditional techniques of mold making and casting.
What are you working on now?
2022 was extremely busy for me as we released a new collection with over 20 pieces. Currently, I have quite a lot of work fulfilling custom orders, while also working in parallel designing new works for 2023–2024. The reality is that I can’t wait for a break to have more time for myself and for conceptualizing new works. Before starting a new work, I always ask myself: Is this artwork worth doing?
I never focus on making expensive works that sell well, but rather valuable works for a very, very small community. Making great work is not an event, it's a whole process that sometimes takes a lifetime. I’m fully committed to it.